In the eerie aftermath of WWII and at the peak of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union found
themselves in the midst of a major nuclear arms race. Fear, suspicion, and a general misunderstanding of our
two cultures grew exponentially. President Dwight D. Eisenhower saw the need for extraordinary efforts on
the part of citizens of both countries to resolve their differences, lest the world should race down the road to
annihilation. He founded People to People International with the intention that those involved would promote
peace through understanding.
People to People Ambassador Programs represents the culmination of President Eisenhower’s lifelong crusade for
world peace. He felt very strongly that everyday citizens of the world wanted peace and could attain it much more
effectively without government interference. He felt that the best way to do this would be by face-to-face contact
through various cultural activities. Once these contacts were established, enduring friendships would be formed.
In a world made up of friends, there would be little need or support for stockpiling weapons. He also thought
that if people could come into each others’ homes, attend their schools, places of worship, watch how meals are
prepared and how children are raised, then appreciation and tolerance for our global neighbors would be created
and misunderstandings eliminated. Suspicion, fear, and bigotry would become a thing of the past. This was his
dream—to have people realize for themselves that while we are all very different, our values, goals, and desire for
life are very much the same.
In January of 1956, President Eisenhower held an international conference at the White House to meet with the top
100 business leaders in the United States to help him form the organization to be called People to People. They
formed forty-two committees that would help people from different nations come together for cultural exchange.
Some of the first committees were dedicated to music, sports, letter writing, and care of the disabled, as well as
a committee for a floating hospital to help others around the globe.
Two men at this White House conference played an important role in making this program a success. Those two
great Americans were Walt Disney and Joyce C. Hall,
founder of Hallmark cards. These leaders knew how
to create and share positive visual images and written
expressions. They knew how to help people see each
other in a more positive light and dedicated much of their
work to doing so.
Walt Disney created the “It’s a Small World” attraction
after his participation in the People to People International
White House conference. Since then, it has introduced
over 250 million people to the concept that we live
together in “one small world.” One of Disney’s dreams
was that music, animation, and exposure to the positive
images in the minds of the world’s children would help its
viewers form a more positive perspective toward those
of other nationalities, yet still respect the concepts and
principles of their own families.
How wonderful that the original ideas discussed in 1956 still survive today. People to People International
Community Chapters, Sister Cities, Citizen Ambassador Programs, and the Student Ambassador Programs in
which you are involved were so successful that each took on a life of its own. Furthermore, all who have been
involved with People to People have benefited in some way. The student who goes abroad gains new knowledge
“I believe the people want
peace, indeed, I believe that
they want peace so badly
that the governments will
just have to step aside and let
them have it.”
— Dwight D. Eisenhower in British Radio Address
People to People Student Ambassador Programs | Dwight D. Eisenhower Building | 1956 Ambassador Way | Spokane, WA 99224-4002
800.669.7882 (toll-free) | Fax 877.284.4517 (toll-free) | peopletopeople.com
and awareness by being exposed to other lifestyles, not to mention that the friendships formed last a lifetime.
It is this type of individual personal growth that is the fundamental foundation of People to People.
Although the Cold War is over, the need for cultural exchange remains. More than 400 armed conflicts occur daily. The
world spends more money each day on new weapons and defense systems than the total amount spent for arms during
World War I.
Is there a need for a People to People program? Will it make a difference? This is a decision that each individual must
make. Were Dwight Eisenhower, Joyce Hall, and Walt Disney dreamers? Or, can one person’s individual effort or contacts
between private citizens make a difference? When people believe they can make a difference, they usually do. When
they believe that the knowledge and understanding gained from exposure to the beliefs of others can change their lives,
it usually does. An ordinary citizen can change the world for the better and in so doing, become a part of something
extraordinary. Eisenhower believed this, and the success of People to People over the past 50 years is proof that he
was right.
Student AMBASSADOR PROGRAMS
The Background of People to People
In the eerie aftermath of WWII and at the peak of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union found
themselves in the midst of a major nuclear arms race. Fear, suspicion, and a general misunderstanding of our
two cultures grew exponentially. President Dwight D. Eisenhower saw the need for extraordinary efforts on
the part of citizens of both countries to resolve their differences, lest the world should race down the road to
annihilation. He founded People to People International with the intention that those involved would promote
peace through understanding.
People to People Ambassador Programs represents the culmination of President Eisenhower’s lifelong crusade for
world peace. He felt very strongly that everyday citizens of the world wanted peace and could attain it much more
effectively without government interference. He felt that the best way to do this would be by face-to-face contact
through various cultural activities. Once these contacts were established, enduring friendships would be formed.
In a world made up of friends, there would be little need or support for stockpiling weapons. He also thought
that if people could come into each others’ homes, attend their schools, places of worship, watch how meals are
prepared and how children are raised, then appreciation and tolerance for our global neighbors would be created
and misunderstandings eliminated. Suspicion, fear, and bigotry would become a thing of the past. This was his
dream—to have people realize for themselves that while we are all very different, our values, goals, and desire for
life are very much the same.
In January of 1956, President Eisenhower held an international conference at the White House to meet with the top
100 business leaders in the United States to help him form the organization to be called People to People. They
formed forty-two committees that would help people from different nations come together for cultural exchange.
Some of the first committees were dedicated to music, sports, letter writing, and care of the disabled, as well as
a committee for a floating hospital to help others around the globe.
Two men at this White House conference played an important role in making this program a success. Those two
great Americans were Walt Disney and Joyce C. Hall,
founder of Hallmark cards. These leaders knew how
to create and share positive visual images and written
expressions. They knew how to help people see each
other in a more positive light and dedicated much of their
work to doing so.
Walt Disney created the “It’s a Small World” attraction
after his participation in the People to People International
White House conference. Since then, it has introduced
over 250 million people to the concept that we live
together in “one small world.” One of Disney’s dreams
was that music, animation, and exposure to the positive
images in the minds of the world’s children would help its
viewers form a more positive perspective toward those
of other nationalities, yet still respect the concepts and
principles of their own families.
How wonderful that the original ideas discussed in 1956 still survive today. People to People International
Community Chapters, Sister Cities, Citizen Ambassador Programs, and the Student Ambassador Programs in
which you are involved were so successful that each took on a life of its own. Furthermore, all who have been
involved with People to People have benefited in some way. The student who goes abroad gains new knowledge
“I believe the people want
peace, indeed, I believe that
they want peace so badly
that the governments will
just have to step aside and let
them have it.”
— Dwight D. Eisenhower in British Radio Address
People to People Student Ambassador Programs | Dwight D. Eisenhower Building | 1956 Ambassador Way | Spokane, WA 99224-4002
800.669.7882 (toll-free) | Fax 877.284.4517 (toll-free) | peopletopeople.com
and awareness by being exposed to other lifestyles, not to mention that the friendships formed last a lifetime.
It is this type of individual personal growth that is the fundamental foundation of People to People.
Although the Cold War is over, the need for cultural exchange remains. More than 400 armed conflicts occur daily. The
world spends more money each day on new weapons and defense systems than the total amount spent for arms during
World War I.
Is there a need for a People to People program? Will it make a difference? This is a decision that each individual must
make. Were Dwight Eisenhower, Joyce Hall, and Walt Disney dreamers? Or, can one person’s individual effort or contacts
between private citizens make a difference? When people believe they can make a difference, they usually do. When
they believe that the knowledge and understanding gained from exposure to the beliefs of others can change their lives,
it usually does. An ordinary citizen can change the world for the better and in so doing, become a part of something
extraordinary. Eisenhower believed this, and the success of People to People over the past 50 years is proof that he
was right.